CCF: two men - two centuries

The featured photograph is a stunningly evocative image of the Cadet Corps recently donated to the Archive by the family of C H M Nixson (Christ College 1896-1900). The original photograph was taken on 20 July 1900 by Mr Percy Morton (Master 1885-1909).

The school’s Cadet Corps was affiliated to the 1st Volunteer Battalion, South Wales Borderers in 1894, and was known as 1CC 1VB SWB. Though the sepia colouring hides the SWB cadet uniform of scarlet tunic, blue trousers with red piping, field service cap and white belt, the image reveals a disciplined cadet corps that was keen to live up to the name of the regiment with which it was affiliated. 

The photograph deserves an added historical note that isn’t immediately obvious to most viewers: the cadets would be aware that some of their former contemporaries were fighting in what they would have known as the Second Boer War (1899-1902). 

The high quality image seemed ripe for re-enactment. Taken in the last week of term, the 2025 photographs below record a modern twist on the 1900 version: changes to the buildings, and girls as well as boys in a very different uniform. 

Photo credits: Izzy Hearn for Christ College.

The original photograph, which features in one of our popular Throwback Thursday posts on social media, takes us back to a different time, but it links two members of staff across more than a century.

The photographer, Percy Morton, was fully involved in school life throughout his career at Christ College. As well as his roles as Science teacher and Housemaster, he coached sport, built stage sets and arranged ‘theatricals’. He was also Editor of The Breconian and Recorder of the Old Breconian Association. In addition, he led and enthused the Photographic Society. Christ College Archive has a rich collection of images from the 1900s as a result of his work. For many years, he was also ‘Captain of the CCF’. 

Percy Morton. 1896. Christ College Archive.

Percy Morton felt strongly about the importance of enabling pupils to challenge themselves – whether on the sports field, in the classroom, on the stage, in the dark room, or in the Cadet Corps.

120 years later, Chris Kerr was appointed to deliver the school’s outdoor education programme. After 30 years of service in the Armed Forces, Chris has brought a wealth of experience in military and outdoor pursuits instruction and programme delivery. Under his leadership, CCF and outdoor education (including D of E) are now part of a thriving programme that aims to develop the school’s long-standing tradition of outdoor activities in a way that inspires all pupils. In the video below, Chris explains more about the programme.

“Ultimately our intention is to provide our pupils with a clear understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, how to overcome adversity, and develop their teamwork, communication and leadership skills in order to provide them with a considerate and resilient mindset to help prepare them for challenges they may face.”

If you phone the CCF hut these days, you'll hear the greeting, "Hello. Department of Adventure.’ We think Percy Morton would approve! 

To celebrate the continuing development of outdoor education at Christ College, we’d like to assemble more memories and photographs of CCF, D of E and other expeditions. If you have something to contribute, let Huw or Felicity know. We really would love to hear from you. 

In the meantime, we think you'll enjoy Tony Cooper's memory of a CCF 'adventure'.